For small western towns, the weekly newspaper provided people with a sense of community as well as providing them with important local news (including gossip) and advertising for local stores. As technology changed, most of equipment which had been used to produce the paper became obsolete, and in many cases the newspaper itself became obsolete. The Sherman County Historical Museum in Moro, Oregon, has an extensive display featuring the printing equipment from the Sherman County Journal.
Shown above is the newspaper display with the Linotype in the foreground.
Shown above is a Linotype.
According to the display:
“Patented by Ottmar Mergenthaler in 1884, the Linotype was the first practical typesetting machine by which characters were cast in lead as a complete line rather than as individual, hand-set characters. The operator entered text on a 90-character keyboard, touching the space band key after each word. Matrices, corresponding brass molds for each letter, were discharged from the magazine and assembled into a line from which was cast a single line of type—a lead slug—that was formed when the alloy of lead, tin and antimony, at about 1,200 degrees, was forced into the mold. It hardened almost immediately. The Linotype was set for the desired width for the column of type.”
Shown above is the back of the Linotype.
Shown above is the keyboard.
Shown above is a trimmer used for trimming the metal slugs. This machine was also known to trim fingers.
Shown above is a proof press which was used to produce a single copy which could then be proofed before the type was placed in the press for production.
Shown above is a job press which was used for small jobs, such as business cards, posters, flyers, etc. The type is placed in a steel frame which is then locked into the press.
Another view of the job press.
Shown above is a folding machine.
Shown above is the imposing table. It is made of marble. Once the type was set in the steel frame known as a chase, it would be placed on the table and a mallet and planer used to level the type so that it would print evenly.
Shown above is another view of the imposing table showing a type chase. The type chase is a metal frame with no bottom. The type was locked into the chase with the metal wedges. These wedges have toothed faces requiring a special key to lock the type into the chase.
Shown above is the Miehle Flatbed Letterpress which was used in printing the newspaper. Two chases filled with type and engravings would be placed in the press which would print two pages on a single sheet. The paper was hand fed into the press. When the ink was dry, the chases would be changed and the sheets fed back through the press to print the backs.
Another view of the Miehle.
Shown above is the paper feed for the Miehle.
Shown above is a paper cutter.
Shown above are Hamilton Type Cabinets and Type.
Another view of the type with composing sticks. The composing stick is a precisely machined adjustable box used for the initial setting of types.
Shown above is an Addressograph. This was used from printing subscriber mailing information on the newspapers. In most small weeklies, the papers were delivered in the mail.
Shown above is the plate maker for the Addressograph. It was commonly known as the Dog Tag Machine.
Museums 101
Museums 101 is a series of photo tours of museums exhibits. More from this series:
Museums 101: The Nevada City Homestead Cabins (Photo Diary)
Museums 101: Saddles (Photo Diary)
Museums 101: Under the Arctic (Photo Diary)
Museums 101: The Presby House Bedroom and Bathroom (Photo Diary)
Museums 101: The Fort Steele Drug Store (Photo Diary)
Museums 101: The Second Floor of the Anderson Homestead (Photo Diary)
Museums 101: Quilts (Photo Diary)
Museums 101: Korean Maps (Photo Diary)
